Friday, 6 January 2017

Background:Chung Yoora is being held in detention in Denmark and the independent counsel team investigating the corruption scandal hopes to bring her in soon as an important witness. If this is delayed, prosecutors will be pressed for time in building up evidence, and may have to wrap up the investigation with many loose ends.

She said she would not refuse to be extradited if she is guaranteed to be able to stay with her child without detention while being investigated but prosecutors dismissed the proposal. She changed her mind and said she would not go to Korea, also noting that being in the detention centre in Denmark is better than in Korea.

If Chung Yoora doesn't voluntarily return home and contests her extradition, it could be months to a year before she returns to Korea. Her case could end up being similar to Yoo Seom Na (daughter of Yoo Byeong Eun, deceased owner of the Sewol ferry). Investigators at the time also placed Yoo Seom Na on an Interpol Red Notice and invalidated her passport when she fled to France. Yoo Seom Na has been fighting extradition from France for two years and eight months now.

Chung Yoora's return should happen as soon as possible as she can provide information to help the corruption scandal investigation and may pressure Choi Soon Sil into confessing. (Source)